Top 10 Snafus to avoid when building a good rig

Yes, I'd say not focusing on the "high end" aspect rather than or prior to the "audio" is a very sound piece of advice.

How about plopping down a new pair of speakers and then doing everything possible to make them sound better, including buying all kinds of different electronics, ICS, etc., but forgetting to tweak the placement and get things tuned in first.

Good one hotmail.

It can be hard to avoid that one when everyone is saying why the stuff you have that you think sounds good and actualy leverages modern technology is inherently flawed in some way because of the evli conspiracy to deny people good sounding music. Of course vinyl and tube gear is the exception to this, because these are the reference standard from years gone by when everything was so much better, especially technology and those evil conspirators started plotting the demise of good sound.

"Spending WAYYYYY too much time defending opinions on Audiogon!"

In the end opinions are largely all that we have to go on, but still worthwhile I think to try to confirm that opinions are based in some degree of fact or reality.

Not all opinions are created equal.

MrT,

Yes, I have tried large Maggies in a small room also.

Not that they can't work there, more that large speakers (including Maggies) are harder to place especially in smaller rooms so getting the the right setup can be more of a challenge.

Also, good large speakers tend to cost a lot more than good small speakers, so getting these for a small room may be overkill and also be harder to get to sound right or even to achieve their potential, even if placement is not an issue. Sometimes less is more, especially in smaller rooms.

"Avoid starting out and not having a game plan that lays out your entire planned, or eventual system with costs, components, etc."

That's very good advice!

" In the current issue of Stereophile one of the writers states that "it's good enough" is the most dangerous thought in audiophile land."

There is a big difference between the audio sales guy who asks questions and actually takes time to understand what you have and what you are looking for and the guy who works based on the assumption that whatever he sells you will be better.

There are plenty of both types around.